Sustainability

At Plaza Foods we come in contact with different parts of the world. We visit places for new inspiration and our company unites many different nationalities. From our experiences we know that the earth is not an inexhaustible source from which we humans can source indefinitely. This awareness creates a clear view about our own way of working and the way we produce our products. Whenever possible we take measures to protect and relieve the environment.

These measures become clear in our new production facility in Nijmegen which is certified according to the Breeam standards (4 star ranking). This certification covers every aspect of the facility; from the lighting within in the building to the vegetation surrounding it.

We also have a close partnership with our sister company WaterQ. Thanks to this we profit from an unique water purification system based on membrane filtration. Due to this system our waste water has undergone a first purification before it is released into the sewers.

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Animal welfare

Most of our meals are prepared with meat. Quality is a principle of big importance to us in regard to the taste of our meals, as well to the lives of the animals that are used to create this incredible taste. We care for their living conditions, as do our customers. In close dialogue with our customers and suppliers we use, whenever possible, chicken that is bred according to the new standard and pork with the ‘Beter leven’-label.

Besides this, we are on a constant search for alternatives for the use of meat. As a result we already created very tasteful meals where we have replaced our meat with extra vegetables and some varieties in which chicken or pork has been replaced by delicious products based on vegetable protein.

Clean Label

The last couple of years the request for products without additives has grown. Despite the fact that EU regulation permits the use of additives and that certain additives contribute to the quality and stability of a product, some additives have a bad reputation. Even while most of these additives with such reputation are not to be found in our products we have a higher ambition and strive for products with a clean label. A goal we like to achieve by reducing these additives even further. That’s why our policy is set on leaving them out when they are not absolutely necessary.

In achieving this we do whatever lies in our power. From the removal of the additives, without letting it affect the quality and safety of the product, to the replacement of certain ingredients by for example herbs. This is a challenge we don’t face on our own. Together with our suppliers we are constantly searching for new possibilities to achieve a clean label.

Quality Management

Products of the highest quality are of the utmost importance to our company. Tastes are monitored constantly and improved where possible. If there is a possibility to optimalise raw materials and/ or our way of producing, we’ll immediately take the necessary steps. No matter what we do, we always take our responsibility regarding humanity, animals and the environment.

Plaza Foods meets the highest BRC and IFS classification and is participant of IFS Food Check for unannounced audits. BRC and IFS both have their own certification programs with their own focal points. Accredited organizations annually test to what extent producers (still) meet the set requirements. What certification prevails in a collaboration depends, among

other things, on the country of origin of a partner organization. For more information, see www.brcglobalstandards.com and www.ifs-certification.com.

Voedselbank

For years now, Plaza Foods cooperates with the Voedselbank. We repel waste of good products, especially when there are a lot of people who are in great need of food. By donating our products, we contribute to the aid that the Voedselbank weekly provides to 94.000 people (2014, www.voedselbankennederland.nl).